tcnj supplemental essay examples

The College of New Jersey | TCNJ

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The College of New Jersey | TCNJ’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Why this college essay.

Why are you interested in The College of New Jersey?

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

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Tips to Ace The College of New Jersey Supplemental Essay Prompts

The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) has recently released its essay prompts for the 2024 application cycle. Knowing how to effectively approach these essays can boost your admission chances and help you stand out among other applicants. Let's dive into the specific prompt:

"Why are you interested in The College of New Jersey?" Word Limit: 500 words

Understanding the Prompt

This question is straightforward but requires a deep, introspective response. TCNJ wants to know why you see yourself as a fit for their institution and how the college’s offerings align with your academic and personal goals. Here's a step-by-step guide on crafting a compelling essay response.

Research and Reflect

Your first task is to research TCNJ extensively. Start by exploring their website, talking to current students, and checking out social media channels. Learn about the majors and programs that interest you, unique campus features, clubs, and activities. The more you know, the more personalized and genuine your essay will be.

Reflection is equally important. Consider your past experiences, achievements, and future aspirations. How do these align with what TCNJ offers? Reflect on moments where you thrived in environments that are similar to what TCNJ provides.

Structuring Your Essay

An effective structure helps you deliver a clear and engaging narrative. Here’s one way to structure your essay:

Introduction: Start with a hook that incorporates a personal story or a unique fact about TCNJ that piqued your interest.

Body: Discuss specific aspects of TCNJ that align with your goals and interests. Separate these into different paragraphs for clarity.

Conclusion: Summarize how TCNJ’s offerings will help you achieve your aspirations and the contributions you'll make to the campus community.

Be Specific

Avoid generic statements. For example, instead of saying, “I want to attend TCNJ because of its excellent academics,” specify which programs, faculty, courses, or experiential learning opportunities attract you. Mention clubs, organizations, or any campus facilities you’re excited about. Concrete examples make your essay memorable and demonstrate genuine interest.

Show, Don’t Tell

Use descriptive anecdotes and vivid examples. Rather than just telling the admissions committee about your interests, show them through specific scenarios. If TCNJ’s community service ethos resonates with you, describe a significant experience you’ve had with volunteering and how you see it continuing at TCNJ.

Utilize Sups AI for Feedback

Writing such a personal essay can be daunting, and getting feedback is crucial. Sups AI , an AI college counseling platform, can help you brainstorm and polish your essays. Sups AI has already helped over 10,000 students get admitted to every school in the US Top 50. Additionally, you can chat one-on-one with current TCNJ students for insider tips and personalized advice.

Edit, Revise, and Proofread

After drafting your essay, take the time to revise and ensure clarity. Each word should serve a purpose. Proofread for grammatical errors and awkward phrasing. A polished essay leaves a lasting impression.

Remember, TCNJ’s supplemental essay is an opportunity to share your story and demonstrate why you’re a terrific fit for the college. By following these tips and utilizing platforms like Sups AI for guidance and feedback, you can craft an essay that captures the essence of your excitement and readiness to join the TCNJ community.

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TCNJ Admissions

APPLICATION WEBINAR

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

• Writing the College Essay

I know from both personal experience and from speaking with high school students that one of the most stressful portions of the college application is writing the essay. Two of the most often asked questions concerning the essay are 1) What is the purpose of the essay? and 2) Do you even read it anyway? To answer the first question I must first answer the second… YES! We very much read each essay that is submitted and take it into consideration when making an admissions decision.

Purpose…

The purpose of the essay is not as obscure as you might think. Because we are unable to personally meet even a small percentage of students who apply, your essay acts as an introduction of yourself to us. Remember that Admissions Counselors read thousands of essays each winter (at TCNJ we read upwards of 10,000!) Each one of those essays gives us a glimpse into who you are as an individual. Each one is unique to you. A secondary reason that institutions request an essay is so that we might be able to get a taste of your writing abilities. Keep this in mind as you budget the necessary time to work on your essay!

Choosing a topic…

Think about what you want us to know about you that is not demonstrated on any other portion of your application – that is a great jumping off point when choosing a possible topic. Often times students feel that their topic should be something earth shattering and monumental, but this really is not the case. Your topic should be (and could be) anything that is important to you and makes you unique. Please do not choose a specific topic simply because you think we want to read about it. Write about something that is special to you. Take a close look at each component of your application. What do we need to know about you that we won’t be able to learn in any other vein?

When submitting the Common Application look closely at the six topic choices. Evaluate their merit and yourself, then choose one carefully. For institutions that require supplemental essays, understand that they do so for a reason. They are using each of those essays as a way of evaluating your application. Be sure to take those writing samples just as seriously as you did your original essay. Often times, the institution might weigh their essay more heavily than that associated with the Common Application. Here at TCNJ, we do not require an essay beyond the one on the Common App.

Proofreading…

Now I know that this might sound like common sense, but you would be surprised by what is submitted to us in essay form. Each essay that you submit should be your best piece of writing. Remember that they are being used as an evaluative portion of your application. It is very distracting to read an essay filled with grammatical and punctuation errors or incomplete thoughts. There is nothing wrong with having a parent, your Guidance Counselor, a friend, your English teacher, or any fresh pair of eyes look over your writing. Remember often times this is our first impression of you, make it count!

When writing a “school-specific” essay, remember to change the name of the institution prior to hitting submit. While we are not naïve enough to think that TCNJ is the only school you are applying to (unless you have chosen to apply Early Decision), telling us why you are the perfect fit at a rival institution does not make for a favorable first impression. Spend the appropriate amount of time working on each portion of your application, especially your essay.

Remember, every portion of your application that is submitted is important in its own right. Be sure to give your essay the time and attention that it deserves. Take it seriously!

And lastly, enjoy it! If you are having an enjoyable time writing it, then we will enjoy reading it.

Rebecca Breese

Rebecca Breese attended Lafayette College and graduated with degrees in Psychology and Government/Law and a minor in Economics. As an undergraduate student, Rebecca worked as a tour guide and served on the Tour Guide Committee. Following a year in Admissions at Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia, she has began working at The College of New Jersey in 2005. She currently recruits students from New York and oversees the College Ambassador Program.

2 comments:

How long is too long for an essay?

Thank you for your post! As every English teacher has told you, its quality over quantity. We definitely don't want a 15 page thesis paper, but you should get your point across in a fun and succinct way. The majority of the essays that we get are in the 1-3 page range. I hope this helps.

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Non-Matriculation Application Requirements

Program-specific requirements, brief essay.

A brief essay is required with all completed applications for non-matriculation. The brief essay may be included with the supplemental documents noted above or may be uploaded through the online application. The brief essay should be a personal statement expressing your professional goals and reasons for wanting to enroll as a graduate student at The College of New Jersey. For a non-matriculation application, the brief essay is typically less than 1 page.

Financial Aid

A non-matriculant is not eligible for need-based or federal financial aid.

Students can choose from the following certificates or emphases: TCNJ-Based Certificates

• Bilingual Endorsement Certificate
• Educational Leadership Certificate
• Environmental Sustainability Education Certificate
• Inclusive Literacy
• Integrative STEM Educational Methods Certificate*
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Teacher of Students with Disabilities
• Supervisor Certificate
• Teacher Leader Certificate
• Teachers of English as a Second Language Certificate

RTC-Based Certificates

• Brain-Based Teaching Certificate*
• Classroom Climate Certificate*
• The Differentiated Classroom Certificate*

The following certificates lead to eligibility for state endorsements:

*Certificate can be completed online

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Supplemental Essay Guide 2024-25

What do the 2024-25 supplemental essay prompts really mean, and how should you approach them? CEA's experts are here to break them all down.

Acceptance Rate

Undergrad population.

• Liberal Arts (59)

* Tuition filtering is based on out-of-state fees

How to Approach Supplemental Essays

When our students dig into the college application process, they are often surprised to encounter not only the main Common Application’s personal statement , but also a host of supplemental essay questions. These assignments are often school-specific writing prompts for which a student must also craft thoughtful, well-written replies.

Supplemental essays are often more focused than the Common App assignment, though they vary in length and scope. Their prompts tackle subjects that range from deeper explorations of a student’s background to their collegiate and academic interests.

We often encourage our students to nail down their personal statement topic first, then ask them to approach their supplemental essays in priority order, according to submission deadlines. Many schools will offer prompts that are similar in theme and content to one another (for example, many institutions now ask about a student’s most important activity ), so it is helpful for students to gather and review all supplemental questions before beginning the brainstorm process to see where they might naturally overlap.

Elite institutions often have extensive supplemental sections, as do some honors programs, so students should keep this in mind as they hunt for their essay questions and map out their plan of attack.

All supplemental essays should be given the same time and care as the main Common Application essay. These supplements not only are an excellent opportunity to show a school both your competence and level of devotion to their institution, but also offer opportunities to paint some personality into your application. So embrace supplements, use your unique voice, and show these schools what you’re made of!

Why Choose College Essay Advisors for Supplemental Essay Support

College Essay Advisors has over twenty years of experience guiding students one-on-one through the essay writing process for school-specific supplements. We take a holistic approach to these essays and short answers, considering each student’s application package as a whole and identifying their strengths to highlight. It’s incredibly important to us that each student’s voice is preserved, and we pride ourselves in helping students to write successful supplemental essays that differentiate them from similarly qualified applicants. For more information, submit a contact form below or review our one-on-one advising services or list of student acceptances . 

Agnes Scott College 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Alvernia University 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide  

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guide, new york university (nyu) 2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide, north carolina state 2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide, frequently asked questions.

It really depends. Typically, the more competitive the university, the more arduous the supplemental essay requirements. Most top universities ask for at least three supplemental essays, but some only require one short essay.

The most common supplemental essay topics are:

• The Why Essay , which asks applicants to discuss their interest in their intended major and/or the school in question.
• The Activity Essay , which asks applicants to describe their involvement in an activity that is meaningful to them.
• The Community Essay , which asks about a community the applicant belongs to and the role that community plays in their life (and vice versa!).
• The Diversity Essay , which often asks applicants to explore how they champion diversity and inclusion in their communities and/or how they engage with people from different backgrounds or who hold opposing views. 
• The Short Answer , which asks applicants to answer prompts in very few words (or characters) to add context to their application and a splash of personality.
• The Oddball Essay , which asks applicants to tap into their creativity to connect curveball questions to their lives and interests.

Just like with the Common App personal statement, you’re going to want to write authentically about yourself while addressing all parts of each supplemental essay prompt. Many schools want to better understand how you see yourself contributing to their campus community and/or diversity and inclusion efforts along with how you hope to use your education to achieve your goals. So, be honest and forward-thinking, and don’t forget to customize each supplemental essay so it’s specific to each school you’re submitting to. That means doing research and weaving information into your essays that demonstrates the amount of time and thought you’ve put into your application. 

We have a few successful supplemental essay examples in our Free Resources section.

Each admissions department has their own process for reviewing applications, and some admissions committees put more weight on supplemental essays than others, but all admissions departments that offer applicants the opportunity to pen additional essays are doing so for a reason: to better understand the applicant and compare similarly qualified candidates. It’s in the applicant’s best interest to not only provide admissions with as much information regarding their candidacy as possible, but also go the extra mile. At highly competitive institutions, admissions officers are looking for reasons to remove students from the applicant pool—don’t let poorly written or (*gulp*) incomplete supplemental essays work against you!

Absolutely not. Please do not reuse content from your Common App essay in your supplements. Although it’s possible for you to expand upon an idea, activity, or community that you mention in your Common App essay in your supplements, you should never recycle content or any phrasing word for word.

Start by reading through all the prompts. Next, jot down ideas that come to your mind (no matter how silly they may seem!). Everyone has a story to tell, and we’re willing to bet you’re more interesting than you think. Give yourself plenty of time to consider different topics and revise, revise, revise! Also, our handy dandy Supplemental Essay Guides are sure to help you on your writing journey.

We have been reading supplemental essays for over twenty years now, so we know a thing or two about the most common mistakes students make. The most common mistakes to avoid are:

• Repeating the prompt in your essay.

You want to make sure every word counts, and repeating the prompt in your essay is a huge waste of space. Rest assured that admissions officers know which prompt you’re responding to. Instead, start your essay off with a strong hook that pulls your reader in (rather than puts them to sleep!). 

• Trying to sound like an academic.

Time and time again, schools post advice on their websites encouraging students to speak in their authentic voices and let the admissions officers reading their applications get to know them. Aaaand time and time again, we read essays students have written in which they go to great lengths to elevate their vocabulary, and in the process, they lose their own voice.

• Using cliches.

Cliches are not your friends when it comes to writing supplemental essays. You may feel like a diamond in the rough, that the world is your oyster, or that love conquers all, but even reading those, did you feel your eyes glazing over? All cliches do is make your essay blend in with the thousands of others in the pile. Emphasize your uniqueness with concrete examples and personal anecdotes, because cliches are rather ineffective, boring, and—let’s face it—lazy.

North Park University 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

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How to Write a Perfect "Why This College?" Essay

College Essays

Did you think you were all done pouring out your blood, sweat, and tears in written form for your personal statement , only to be faced with the "why this college?" supplemental essay? This question might seem simple but is in fact a crucial and potentially tricky part of many college applications. What exactly is the "why us?" essay trying to understand about you? And how do you answer this question without falling into its many pitfalls or making any rookie mistakes?

In this article, I'll explain why colleges want you to be able to explain why you are applying. I'll also discuss how to generate and brainstorm topics for this question and how to make yourself sound sincere and committed. Finally, we'll go over some "why this school?" essay do s and don't s.

This article is pretty detailed, so here's a brief overview of what we'll be covering:

Why Do Colleges Want You to Write a "Why Us?" Essay?

Two types of "why this college" essay prompts, step 1: research the school, step 2: brainstorm potential essay topics, step 3: nail the execution, example of a great "why this college" essay.

College admissions officers have to read an incredible amount of student work to put together a winning class, so trust me when I say that everything they ask you to write is meaningful and important .

The purpose of the "why us?" essay goes two ways. On one hand, seeing how you answer this question gives admissions officers a sense of whether you know and value their school .

On the other hand, having to verbalize why you are applying gives you the chance to think about what you want to get out of your college experience  and whether your target schools fit your goals and aspirations.

What Colleges Get Out Of Reading Your "Why This College?" Essay

Colleges want to check three things when they read this essay.

First, they want to see that you have a sense of what makes this college different and special.

• Do you know something about the school's mission, history, or values?
• Have you thought about the school's specific approach to learning?
• Are you comfortable with the school's traditions and the overall feel of student life here?

Second, they want proof that you will be a good fit for the school.

• Where do your interests lie? Do they correspond to this school's strengths?
• Is there something about you that meshes well with some aspect of the school?
• How will you contribute to college life? How will you make your mark on campus?

And third, they want to see that this school will, in turn, be a good fit for you.

• What do you want to get out of college? Will this college be able to provide that? Will this school contribute to your future success?
• What will you take advantage of on campus (e.g., academic programs, volunteer or travel opportunities, internships, or student organizations)?
• Will you succeed academically? Does this school provide the right rigor and pace for your ideal learning environment?

What You Get Out Of Writing Your "Why This College?" Essay

Throughout this process of articulating your answers to the questions above, you will also benefit in a couple of key ways:

It Lets You Build Excitement about the School

Finding specific programs and opportunities at schools you are already happy about will give you a grounded sense of direction for when you start school . At the same time, by describing what is great about schools that are low on your list, you'll likely boost your enthusiasm for these colleges and keep yourself from feeling that they're nothing more than lackluster fallbacks.

It Helps You Ensure That You're Making the Right Choice

Writing the "why us?" essay can act as a moment of clarity. It's possible that you won't be able to come up with any reasons for applying to a particular school. If further research fails to reveal any appealing characteristics that fit with your goals and interests, this school is likely not for you.

At the end of your four years, you want to feel like this, so take your "Why This College?" essay to heart.

The "why this college?" essay is best thought of as a back-and-forth between you and the college . This means that your essay will really be answering two separate, albeit related, questions:

• "Why us?": This is where you explain what makes the school special in your eyes, what attracted you to it, and what you think you'll get out of your experience there.
• "Why you?": This is the part where you talk about why you'll fit in at the school; what qualities, skills, talents, or abilities you'll contribute to student life; and how your future will be impacted by the school and its opportunities.

Colleges usually use one of these approaches to frame this essay , meaning that your essay will lean heavier toward whichever question is favored in the prompt. For example, if the prompt is all about "why us?" you'll want to put your main focus on praising the school. If the prompt instead is mostly configured as "why you?" you'll want to dwell at length on your fit and potential.

It's good to remember that these two prompts are simply two sides of the same coin. Your reasons for wanting to apply to a particular school can be made to fit either of these questions.

For instance, say you really want the chance to learn from the world-famous Professor X. A "why us?" essay might dwell on how amazing an opportunity studying with him would be for you, and how he anchors the Telepathy department.

Meanwhile, a "why you?" essay would point out that your own academic telepathy credentials and future career goals make you an ideal student to learn from Professor X, a renowned master of the field.

Next up, I'll show you some real-life examples of what these two different approaches to the same prompt look like.

Clarifying why you want to study with a particular professor in a specific department can demonstrate to college admissions staff that you've done your research on the school.

"Why Us?" Prompts

• Why [this college]?
• Why are you interested in [this college]?
• Why is [this college] a good choice for you?
• What do you like best about [this college]?
• Why do you want to attend [this college]?

Below are some examples of actual "why us?" college essay prompts:

• Colorado College : "Describe how your personal experiences with a particular community make you a student who would benefit from Colorado College’s Block Plan."
• Tufts University : " I am applying to Tufts because… "
• Tulane University : "Describe why you are interested in joining the Tulane community. Consider your experiences, talents, and values to illustrate what you would contribute to the Tulane community if admitted." (via the Common App )
• University of Michigan : "Describe the unique qualities that attract you to the specific undergraduate College or School (including preferred admission and dual degree programs) to which you are applying at the University of Michigan. How would that curriculum support your interests?"
• Wellesley College : " When choosing a college, you are choosing an intellectual community and a place where you believe that you can live, learn, and flourish. We know that there are more than 100 reasons to choose Wellesley, but it's a good place to start. Visit the Wellesley 100 and select two items that attract, inspire, or celebrate what you would bring to our community. Have fun! Use this opportunity to reflect personally on what items appeal to you most and why. "

In a "why us?" essay, focus on the specific aspects of the school that appeal to you and how you will flourish because of those offerings.

"Why You?" Prompts

• Why are you a good match or fit for us?
• What are your interests, and how will you pursue them at [this college]?
• What do you want to study, and how will that correspond to our program?
• What or how will you contribute?
• Why you at [this college]?
• Why are you applying to [this college]?

Here are some examples of the "why you?" version of the college essay:

• Babson College : " A defining element of the Babson experience is learning and thriving in an equitable and inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives and interests. Please share something about your background, lived experiences, or viewpoint(s) that speaks to how you will contribute to and learn from Babson's collaborative community. "
• Bowdoin College : "Generations of students have found connection and meaning in Bowdoin's 'The Offer of the College.' ... Which line from the Offer resonates most with you? Optional: The Offer represents Bowdoin's values. Please reflect on the line you selected and how it has meaning to you." (via the Common App )

In a "why you?" essay, focus on how your values, interests, and motivations align with the school's offerings and how you'll contribute to campus life.

No matter how the prompt is worded, this essay is a give-and-take of what you and the college have to offer each other. Your job is to quickly zoom in on your main points and use both precision and detail to sound sincere, excited, and authentic.

How do you effectively explain the benefits you see this particular school providing for you and the contributions you will bring to the table as a student there? And how can you do this best using the small amount of space that you have (usually just one to two paragraphs)?

In this section, we'll go through the process of writing the "Why This College?" essay, step-by-step. First, I'll talk about the prep work you'll need to do. Next, we'll go through how to brainstorm good topics (and touch on what topics to avoid). I'll give you some tips on transforming your ideas and research into an actual essay. Finally, I'll take apart an actual "why us?" essay to show you why and how it works.

Before you can write about a school, you'll need to know specific things that make it stand out and appeal to you and your interests . So where do you look for these? And how do you find the details that will speak to you? Here are some ways you can learn more about a school.

In-Person Campus Visits

If you're going on college tours , you've got the perfect opportunity to gather information about the school. Bring a notepad and write down the following:

• Your tour guide's name
• One to two funny, surprising, or enthusiastic things your guide said about the school
• Any unusual features of the campus, such as buildings, sculptures, layout, history, or traditions

Try to also connect with students or faculty while you're there. If you visit a class, note which class it is and who teaches it. See whether you can briefly chat with a student (e.g., in the class you visit, around campus, or in a dining hall), and ask what they like most about the school or what has been most surprising about being there.

Don't forget to write down the answer! Trust me, you'll forget it otherwise—especially if you do this on multiple college visits.

Virtual Campus Visits

If you can't visit a campus in person, the next best thing is an online tour , either from the school's own website or from other websites, such as YOUniversityTV , CampusTours , or YouTube (search "[School Name] + tour").

You can also connect with students without visiting the campus in person . Some admissions websites list contact information for currently enrolled students you can email to ask one or two questions about what their experience of the school has been like.

Or if you know what department, sport, or activity you're interested in, you can ask the admissions office to put you in touch with a student who is involved with that particular interest.

If you can't visit a campus in person, request a video chat with admissions staff, a current student, or a faculty member to get a better sense of specific topics you might write about in your essay.

Alumni Interview

If you have an interview , ask your interviewer questions about their experience at the school and about what going to that school has done for them since graduation. As always, take notes!

College Fairs

If you have a chance to go to a college fair where your ideal college has representatives, don't just attend and pick up a brochure. Instead, e ngage the representatives in conversation, and ask them about what they think makes the school unique .  Jot down notes on any interesting details they tell you.

The College's Own Materials

Colleges publish lots and lots of different admissions materials—and all of these will be useful for your research. Here are some suggestions for what you can use. (You should be able to find all of the following resources online.)

Brochures and Course Catalogs

Read the mission statement of the school; does its educational philosophy align with yours? You should also read through its catalogs. Are there any programs, classes, departments, or activities that seem tailor-made for you in some way?

Pro Tip: These interesting features you find should be unusual in some way or different from what other schools offer. For example, being fascinated with the English department isn't going to cut it unless you can discuss its unusual focus, its world-renowned professors, or the different way it structures the major that appeals to you specifically.

Alumni Magazine

Are any professors highlighted? Does their research speak to you or connect with a project you did in high school or for an extracurricular?

Sometimes alumni magazines will highlight a college's new focus or new expansion. Does the construction of a new engineering school relate to your intended major? There might also be some columns or letters written by alumni who talk about what going to this particular school has meant to them. What stands out about their experiences?

School or Campus Newspaper

Students write about the hot issues of the day, which means that the articles will be about the best and worst things on campus . It'll also give you insight into student life, opportunities that are available to students, activities you can do off campus, and so on.

The College's Social Media

Your ideal school is most likely on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, and other social media. Follow the school to see what it's posting about.  Are there any exciting new campus developments? Professors in the news? Interesting events, clubs, or activities?

The Internet

Wikipedia is a great resource for learning basic details about a college's history, traditions, and values. I also recommend looking for forums on College Confidential that specifically deal with the school you're researching.

Another option is to search on Google for interesting phrases, such as "What students really think about [School Name]" or "[School Name] student forum." This will help you get detailed points of view, comments about specific programs or courses, and insight into real student life.

So what should you do now that you've completed a bunch of research? Answer: use it to develop connection points between you and your dream school. These connections will be the skeleton of your "why this college?" essay.

Find the Gems in Your Research

You have on hand all kinds of information, from your own personal experiences on campus and your conversations with people affiliated with your ideal school to what you've learned from campus publications and tidbits gleaned from the web.

Now, it's time to sift through all of your notes to find the three to five things that really speak to you. Link what you've learned about the school to how you can plug into this school's life, approach, and environment. That way, no matter whether your school's prompt is more heavily focused on the "why us?" or "why you?" part of the give-and-take, you'll have an entry point into the essay.

But what should these three to five things be? What should you keep in mind when you're looking for the gem that will become your topic?

Here are some words of wisdom from Calvin Wise , director of recruitment and former associate director of admissions at Johns Hopkins University (emphasis mine):

" Focus on what makes us unique and why that interests you. Do your research, and articulate a multidimensional connection to the specific college or university. We do not want broad statements (the brick pathways and historic buildings are beautiful) or a rehash of the information on our website (College X offers a strong liberal arts curriculum). All institutions have similarities. We want you to talk about our differences. "

Time to find that diamond, amethyst, opal, tourmaline, or amber in the rough.

Check Your Gems for Color and Clarity

When I say "check your gems," I mean make sure that each of the three to five things you've found is something your ideal school has that other schools don't have.

This something should be seen from your own perspective. The point isn't to generically praise the school but instead to go into detail about why it's so great for you that they have this thing.

This something you find should be meaningful to the school and specific to you. For example, if you focus on academics (e.g., courses, instructors, opportunities, or educational philosophy), find a way to link them either to your previous work or to your future aspirations.

This something should not be shallow and nonspecific. Want to live in a city? Every city has more than one college in it. Find a way to explain why this specific college in this specific city calls to you. Like pretty architecture? Many schools are beautiful, so dwell on why this particular place feels unlike any other. Like good weather, beach, skiing, or some other geographical attribute? There are many schools located near these places, and they know that people enjoy sunbathing. Either build a deeper connection or skip these as reasons.

Convert Your Gems into Essay Topics

Every "why this college?" essay is going to answer both the "why us?" and the "why you?" parts of the back-and-forth equation. But depending on which way your target school has worded its prompt, you'll lean more heavily on that part . This is why I'm going to split this brainstorming into two parts—to go with the "why us?" and "why you?" types of questions.

Of course, since they are both sides of the same coin, you can always easily flip each of these ideas around to have it work well for the other type of prompt . For example, a "why us?" essay might talk about how interesting the XYZ interdisciplinary project is and how it fits well with your senior project.

By contrast, a "why you?" essay would take the same idea but flip it to say that you've learned through your senior project how you deeply value an interdisciplinary approach to academics, making you a great fit for this school and its commitment to such work, as evidenced by project XYZ.

Describing how project XYZ demonstrates your investment in a particular course of study that then happens to align with a specific program at the university is an effective approach to the "why you?" essay.

Possible "Why Us?" Topics

• How a particular program of study, internship requirement, or volunteer connection will help further your specific career goals .
• The school's interesting approach to your future major (if you know what that will be) or a major that combines several disciplines that appeal to you and fit with your current academic work and interests.
• How the school handles financial aid and the infrastructure setup for low-income students and what that means for you in terms of opening doors.
• A story about how you became interested in the school (if you learned about it in an interesting way). For example, did the institution host a high school contest you took part in? Did you attend an art exhibit or stage performance there that you enjoyed and that your own artistic work aligns with?
• How you overcame an initial disinterest in the school (be sure to minimize this first negative impression). Did you do more research? Interact with someone on campus? Learn about the school's commitment to the community? Learn about interesting research being done there?
• A positive interaction you had with current students, faculty, or staff, as long as this is more than just, "Everyone I met was really nice."
• An experience you had while on a campus tour. Was there a super-passionate tour guide? Any information that surprised you? Did something happen to transform your idea about the school or campus life (in a good way)?
• Interesting interdisciplinary work going on at the university and how that connects with your academic interests, career goals, or previous high school work.
• The history of the school —but only if it's meaningful to you in some way. Has the school always been committed to fostering minority, first-generation, or immigrant students? Was it founded by someone you admire? Did it take an unpopular (but, to you, morally correct) stance at some crucial moment in history?
• An amazing professor you can't wait to learn from. Is there a chemistry professor whose current research meshes with a science fair project you did? A professor who's a renowned scholar on your favorite literary or artistic period or genre? A professor whose book on economics finally made you understand the most recent financial crisis?
• A class that sounds fascinating , especially if it's in a field you want to major in.
• A facility or piece of equipment you can't wait to work in or with  and that doesn't exist in many other places. Is there a specialty library with rare medieval manuscripts? Is there an observatory?
• A required curriculum that appeals to you because it provides a solid grounding in the classics, shakes up the traditional canon, connects all the students on campus in one intellectual project, or is taught in a unique way.

If the school can boast a cutting-edge laboratory where you dream of conducting research, that would be a strong focus for a "Why Us?" essay.

Possible "Why You?" Topics

• Do you want to continue a project you worked on in high school? Talk about how or where in the current course, club, and program offerings this work would fit in. Why will you be a good addition to the team?
• Have you always been involved in a community service project that's already being done on campus? Write about integrating life on campus with events in the surrounding community.
• Do you plan to keep performing in the arts, playing music, working on the newspaper, or engaging in something else you were seriously committed to in high school? Discuss how excited you are to join that existing organization.
• Are you the perfect person to take advantage of an internship program (e.g., because you have already worked in this field, were exposed to it through your parents, or have completed academic work that gives you some experience with it)?
• Are you the ideal candidate for a study abroad opportunity (e.g., because you can speak the language of the country, it's a place where you've worked or studied before, or your career goals are international in some respect)?
• Are you a stand-out match for an undergraduate research project (e.g., because you'll major in this field, you've always wanted to work with this professor, or you want to pursue research as a career option)?
• Is there something you were deeply involved with that doesn't currently exist on campus? Offer to start a club for it. And I mean a club; you aren't going to magically create a new academic department or even a new academic course, so don't try offering that. If you do write about this, make double (and even triple) sure that the school doesn't already have a club, course, or program for this interest.
• What are some of the programs or activities you plan to get involved with on campus , and what unique qualities will you bring to them?
• Make this a mini version of a personal statement you never wrote.  Use this essay as another chance to show a few more of the skills, talents, or passions that don't appear in your actual college essay. What's the runner-up interest that you didn't write about? What opportunity, program, or offering at the school lines up with it?

One way to impress admissions staff in a "Why You?" essay is to discuss your fascination with a particular topic in a specific discipline, such as kinetic sculpture, and how you want to pursue that passion (e.g., as a studio art major).

Possible Topics for a College That's Not Your First Choice

• If you're writing about a school you're not completely psyched about, one way to sidestep the issue is to focus on what getting this degree will do for you in the future . How do you see yourself changing existing systems, helping others, or otherwise succeeding?
• Alternatively, discuss what the school values academically, socially, environmentally, or philosophically and how this connects with what you also care about . Does it have a vegan, organic, and cruelty-free cafeteria? A relationship with a local farm or garden? De-emphasized fraternity involvement? Strong commitment to environmental issues? Lots of opportunities to contribute to the community surrounding the school? Active inclusion and a sense of belonging for various underrepresented groups?
• Try to find at least one or two features you're excited about for each of the schools on your list. If you can't think of a single reason why this would be a good place for you to go, maybe you shouldn't be applying there!

Topics to Avoid in Your Essay

• Don't write about general characteristics, such as a school's location (or the weather in that location), reputation, or student body size. For example, anyone applying to the Webb Institute , which has just about 100 students , should by all means talk about having a preference for tiny, close-knit communities. By contrast, schools in sunny climates know that people enjoy good weather, but if you can't connect the outdoors with the college itself, think of something else to say.
• Don't talk about your sports fandom. Saying, "I can see myself in crimson and white/blue and orange/[some color] and [some other color]" is both overused and not a persuasive reason for wanting to go to a particular college. After all, you could cheer for a team without going to the school! Unless you're an athlete, you're an aspiring mascot performer, or you have a truly one-of-a-kind story to tell about your link to the team, opt for a different track.
• Don't copy descriptions from the college's website to tell admissions officers how great their institution is. They don't want to hear praise; they want to hear how you connect with their school. So if something on the college brochure speaks to you, explain why this specific detail matters to you and how your past experiences, academic work, extracurricular interests, or hobbies relate to that detail.
• Don't use college rankings as a reason you want to go to a school. Of course prestige matters, but schools that are ranked right next to each other on the list are at about the same level of prestige. What makes you choose one over the other?
• If you decide to write about a future major, don't just talk about what you want to study and why . Make sure that you also explain why you want to study this thing at this particular school . What do they do differently from other colleges?
• Don't wax poetic about the school's pretty campus. "From the moment I stepped on your campus, I knew it was the place for me" is another cliché—and another way to say basically nothing about why you actually want to go to this particular school. Lots of schools are pretty, and many are pretty in the exact same way.

Pop quiz: This pretty gothic building is on what college campus? Yes, that's right—it could be anywhere.

When you've put together the ideas that will make up your answer to the "why us?" question, it's time to build them into a memorable essay. Here are some tips for doing that successfully:

• Jump right in. The essay is short, so there's no need for an introduction or conclusion. Spend the first paragraph delving into your best one or two reasons for applying. Then, use the second paragraph to go into slightly less detail about reasons 2 (or 3) through 5.
• To thine own self be true. Write in your own voice, and be sincere about what you're saying. Believe me—the reader can tell when you mean it and when you're just blathering!
• Details, details, details. Show the school that you've done your research. Are there any classes, professors, clubs, or activities you're excited about at the school? Be specific (e.g., "I'm fascinated by the work Dr. Jenny Johnson has done with interactive sound installations").
• If you plan on attending if admitted, say so. Colleges care about the numbers of acceptances deeply, so it might help to know you're a sure thing. But don't write this if you don't mean it!
• Don't cut and paste the same essay for every school. At least once, you'll most likely forget to change the school name or some other telling detail. You also don't want to have too much vague, cookie-cutter reasoning, or else you'll start to sound bland and forgettable.

For more tips, check out our step-by-step essay-writing advice .

Avoid cookie-cutter responses to "why this college?" essay prompts. Instead, provide an essay that's personalized to that particular institution.

At this point, it'll be helpful to take a look at a "why us?" essay that works and figure out what the author did to create a meaningful answer to this challenging question.

Here is a "Why Tufts?" essay from James Gregoire '19 for Tufts University :

It was on my official visit with the cross country team that I realized Tufts was the perfect school for me. Our topics of conversation ranged from Asian geography to efficient movement patterns, and everyone spoke enthusiastically about what they were involved in on campus. I really related with the guys I met, and I think they represent the passion that Tufts' students have. I can pursue my dream of being a successful entrepreneur by joining the Tufts Entrepreneurs Society, pursuing an Entrepreneurial Leadership minor, and taking part in an up-and-coming computer science program.

Here are some of the main reasons this essay is so effective:

• Interaction with current students. James writes about hanging out with the cross-country team and sounds excited about meeting them.
• "I'm a great fit." He uses the conversation with the cross-country team members to talk about his own good fit here ("I really related with the guys I met").
• Why the school is special. James also uses the conversation as a way to show that he enjoys the variety of opportunities Tufts offers (their fun conversation covers Asian geography, movement patterns, and other things they "were involved with on campus").
• Taking advantage of this specialness. James doesn't just list things Tufts offers but also explains which of them are of specific value to him. He's interested in being an entrepreneur, so the Tufts Entrepreneurs Society and the Entrepreneurial Leadership courses appeal to him.
• Awareness of what the school is up to. Finally, James shows that he's aware of the latest Tufts developments when he mentions the new computer science program.

The Bottom Line: Writing a Great "Why This College?" Essay

• Proof that you understand what makes this college different and special
• Evidence that you'll be a good fit at this school
• Evidence that this college will, in turn, be a good fit for you

The prompt may be phrased in one of two ways: "Why us?" or "Why you?" But these are sides of the same coin and will be addressed in your essay regardless of the prompt style.

Writing the perfect "why this school?" essay requires you to first research the specific qualities and characteristics of this school that appeal to you. You can find this information by doing any or all of the following:

• Visiting campuses in person or virtually to interact with current students and faculty
• Posing questions to your college interviewer or to representatives at college fairs
• Reading the college's own materials , such as its brochures, official website, alumni magazine, campus newspaper, and social media
• Looking at other websites that talk about the school

To find a topic to write about for your essay, find the three to five things that really speak to you about the school , and then link each of them to yourself, your interests, your goals, or your strengths.

Avoid using clichés that could be true for any school, such as architecture, geography, weather, or sports fandom. Instead, focus on the details that differentiate your intended school from all the others .

What's Next?

Are you also working on your personal statement? If you're using the Common App, check out our complete breakdown of the Common App prompts and learn how to pick the best prompt for you .

If you're applying to a University of California school, we've got an in-depth article on how to write effective UC personal statements .

And if you're submitting ApplyTexas applications, read our helpful guide on how to approach the many different ApplyTexas essay prompts .

Struggling with the college application process as a whole? Our expert guides teach you how to ask for recommendations , how to write about extracurriculars , and how to research colleges .

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Seven-Year Medical Program

The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) and Rutgers’ New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) has a formal articulation agreement allowing incoming freshman applicants to be accepted to both the medical school and TCNJ and to earn both the baccalaureate/BS degree from TCNJ and the MD degree from NJMS in seven years.

Students enrolled in this program spend three years at TCNJ in an approved major (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, English, Philosophy, Physics, Economics, Biomedical Engineering, Math, Spanish, or History), and four at NJMS. Engineering majors require earned college credit (by qualifying AP test scores or completing college courses) in General Physics I and II, and Calculus I and II. 

Upon completing the first year of medical school, the student is granted the BS or BA degree in the chosen undergraduate major from TCNJ. The MD degree is earned at the end of four years at NJMS.

What makes TCNJ’s 7-Year BS/MD program unique?

• Select from a variety of majors
• Complete minors or double majors in secondary fields of interest
• Study abroad for one full semester while staying within program requirements
• Invitation to join TCNJ-AZ, our 7-year medical society
• Engage in research during the semester and during the summer (not required) in any field you want
• There is no summer coursework required
• Benefit from all the resources that TCNJ has to offer, and learn in an environment with small class sizes, diverse course offerings, engaged students, and committed faculty

Important Dates

*Completed within two weeks of receipt or Dec 7, whichever comes first

LINK TO 7-YR BS / MD SLIDE PRESENTATION   (Oct 2023)

What is the TCNJ/New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) 7-Year Combined BS/MD Program?

It is a joint undergraduate-medical degree program in which a student spends three years at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) in an approved major, and four additional years at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS). Approved undergraduate majors currently include biology, biomedical engineering, chemistry, computer science, economics, mathematics, English, history, philosophy, physics, and Spanish. Upon completing the first year of medical school (year four), the student is granted the BS or BA degree in the chosen undergraduate major from TCNJ. The MD degree is awarded after the successful completion of the program in the seventh year by NJMS.

What is the process for applying to the College’s seven-year medical program?

Students should apply to The College of New Jersey’s Seven-Year Medical program utilizing the Common Application (usually available by late July) available at admissions.tcnj.edu and indicate as their first choice the Seven-Year Program in the preferred major area of study (i.e., Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Math, English, etc.). Additionally, the student may want to indicate regular admittance to a four-year program of study at TCNJ as a second choice, should the student not be selected for the Seven-Year program.

School Status upon admissions: Applicant must be a high school senior. It is not possible to transfer into this program from other colleges or other 3 or 4-year programs within The College of New Jersey. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will be eligible to be interviewed for the Seven-Year program. The first interview (via Zoom) is with a Medical Career Advisor at TCNJ. 

Assuming this interview is favorable, you will be considered for a later interview with a New Jersey Medical School Admissions representative in Newark, New Jersey. This interview must be done in person, regardless of home location. New Jersey Medical School makes the final admission determination. There is no early decision process for the Seven-Year Medical program. There is, however, an early decision process for the college (please contact admissions for that application deadline).

Admittance to Program: The admission process is not finalized until the first week in April. Dr. Nayak, the Seven-Year Program Director at TCNJ, will notify the accepted students once the list has been received from NJMS. PLEASE NOTE: There is no waitlist or alternate list, nor are there subsequent rounds of admission to this program.

Please attempt to submit your application when all standardized test scores have been taken. Your application must be postmarked by the November 1 deadline. State of residence has NO bearing on your admission to the Seven-Year program. You must, however, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident by the time you enter medical school. Again, please note that 7-year BS MD applicants are excluded from early decision options at TCNJ.

What are the MINIMUM academic eligibility requirements to apply for admission to the TCNJ 7-Year Medical Program?

The following are the MINIMUM academic eligibility requirements to apply:

• Standardized Test Scores: Students must have a minimum SAT score of 1400 (Evidence-Based Reading and Math sections only) from ONE TEST DATE. No exceptions will be made. (The test may be taken more than once, but the combined score must be from one sitting.) Alternatively, a 32 or higher composite ACT score AND rank in the top 10% of their high school class may substitute for the SAT. However, if the SAT is taken, this score will also be considered.
• High School academic achievements: Applicants must be in the top 5% of their class, and have an approximately 3.8 (or higher) /4.0 cumulative, unweighted GPA. You should have participated in school, community, or other activities demonstrating service and leadership. You should also have had good exposure to medicine and/or healthcare. While IB and AP tests are optional, they are strongly encouraged.

What is the deadline for applying to this program?

The Application Deadline is November 1st. The Application Completion Deadline (all materials must be received by) is December 1st.

Is there a Supplemental Application involved?

Yes, a supplemental application link will be sent to qualified candidates and must be completed within two weeks of receipt, or by December 7th (whichever comes first). Those candidates with strong supplemental applications will be offered a TCNJ interview from mid-December through the 3rd week of February. NJMS conducts final interviews for the top candidates on a rolling basis through the 3rd week of March at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

Do AP credit and previous college coursework count toward completing undergraduate requirements at TCNJ?

Yes, but with certain qualifications : The AP credit and college course(s) must be deemed equivalent to courses required by the college or major; the credit equivalency is applied to introductory, entry-level courses only (except for Foundations of Biological Inquiry), which cannot be exempted by AP credit); and at least eight classes of approved science coursework are completed at TCNJ.

During the 3-year undergraduate program at TCNJ, is the credit load per semester greater than in a normal 4-year undergraduate program?  Are summer courses required?

No, the semester load is the same as that of other full-time TCNJ students. For Biology majors, the only course taken earlier than normal is Biology Seminar, a 4-credit journal-based course usually populated by seniors. No summer classes are needed as long as the curriculum is followed.

Is there an admissions quota, and how many Seven-Year students are currently enrolled at TCNJ?

Usually, about 20 freshmen enroll in the Seven-Year Medical program at TCNJ. There is currently a cohort of about 60 students enrolled in the three-year program at TCNJ who will continue to NJMS.

What is the retention criterion for the 7-Year program?

To remain in the program, students must:

• Complete the three-year undergraduate curriculum at TCNJ in an approved major, and earn a 3.5 (B+) cumulative and science average GPA EACH semester;
• Earn no grades below A- in any introductory biology or chemistry science course required by NJMS (BIO 201, CHE 201, CHE 202), taken at TCNJ or at another institution;
• Earn no grade below a B- in any course taken at TCNJ or another institution;
• Take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) no later than the SPRING of the third (and last) year at TCNJ. There is no minimum score required; and
• If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you must obtain U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status by the time you ENTER NJMS.

What is a typical numeric breakdown of the high school senior applicant pool for the Seven-Year Medical program at TCNJ?

What financial aid is available at TCNJ?

Financial Aid and Scholarship monies are awarded through the Admissions Office and the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

Please contact these departments for further information.

• The Undergraduate Admissions office is located in Trenton Hall, Room 228; (609) 771-2131
• The Student Financial Assistance  office is located in Green Hall, Room 101; (609) 771-2211

Who makes the final admissions decision for acceptance into the Seven-Year Medical Program?

The Rutgers NJMS Admissions Committee makes the final decision, based on the student’s Common Application and attachments, and evaluation of both interviews.

What are the housing opportunities at The College of New Jersey for Seven-Year students?

All students admitted to the Seven-Year program are guaranteed on-campus housing during their three years at TCNJ. 

If I am not accepted to the TCNJ Seven-Year Program, what is the fate of my application?

TCNJ Admissions still process your college application if you have indicated a second-choice major on the Common Application. You will be considered for admittance to the major of your choice, financial aid, and all other offerings. Please note that the average freshman accepted to The College of New Jersey is in the top 7% of their graduating class and has an average SAT score of about 1300 in critical reading and math.

Is this program the only pathway to medical school from The College of New Jersey?

No, it is not! For over 30 years our graduating seniors have been admitted to a wide variety of US medical schools. The vast majority of our pre-meds are NOT in the Seven-Year program. Over the last five years, about 65% or more of traditional medical school applicants from TCNJ have entered one or more US medical schools. (i.e., Case Western, Duke, Dartmouth, Drexel, University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins, Jefferson, University of Virginia, University of Maryland, University of Alabama, Tulane, Mt. Sinai, Einstein, NY Medical College, SUNY-Syracuse, Temple, NYU, Pennsylvania State-Hershey, Columbia, Washington University and of course, New Jersey Medical School and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School).

Our mission is not only to prepare the pre-med for success in the application process but, more importantly, to prepare our students for success in medical school and beyond.

How can I tour The College of New Jersey including the Biology Department and dormitories?

Please see the Visit TCNJ page for tours and other opportunities to become familiar with our campus.

If I am accepted to the Seven-Year Medical program at TCNJ/NJMS, must I attend NJMS (in Newark, New Jersey)?

You are free to withdraw from the Seven-Year program at any time during your three years at the College of New Jersey. The medical school, of course, will then withdraw its guarantee. During your fourth year at TCNJ, you may apply to any medical school you wish. Your medical school acceptance will be based on the regular criteria: cumulative GPA, MCAT scores, letters of recommendation, medical school interviews, and experience.

Our Medical Careers Advisory Committee (MCAC) consists of faculty members who offer personalized advisement on all aspects of pre-medical preparation. The MCAC also hosts an informative advising website, mcac.tcnj.edu. Our local chapter of AMSA (American Medical Student Association) also offers valuable resources for the pre-medical student. The AMSA chapter sponsors presentations by health career students and practitioners, leads tours of area health professional schools, engages in charity fund-raising, and offers peer and faculty advisement on all phases of pre-medical preparation.

Note: Students formerly in the Seven-year program with good MCAT scores and grades have successfully applied to other medical schools during their junior year (i.e., Temple, Robert Wood Johnson, University of Texas-San Antonio, SUNY Syracuse, Washington University, and Duke University). Seven-year students must officially declare their intention to matriculate at NJMS or to withdraw from the Seven-Year Program before December of their Junior year.

What are the pertinent phone numbers and email addresses for questions about the program?

Admissions Office: 609.771.2131 or [email protected]

Financial Aid Office: 609.771.2211 or [email protected]

Student Housing Office: 609.771.2301 or [email protected]

Program Director: Dr. Sudhir Nayak, [email protected]

7-Year BS/MD Program Office: [email protected]

*December through February is our busiest time. Returning e-mail messages can take a week or more during this period.

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Apply to TCNJ

Thank you for your interest in The College of New Jersey. We appreciate your efforts in completing the application that will help us evaluate your candidacy for admission.

Application Process

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• Undergraduate Transfer Applicants
• Undergraduate International Applicants
• Graduate Applicants
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Admissions to the Honors & Scholars Program

Any full-time TCNJ undergraduate with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is eligible to apply for admission to TCNJ’s Honors & Scholars Program.

First-year students may not apply in their first semester at TCNJ. Transfer students or students with a full semester of college coursework prior to matriculation may apply in their first semester at TCNJ; such students should send an email to [email protected] to inform the program of their intention.

Applications for admission must be submitted in the Fall or Spring semesters; there is no option to apply during Winter or Summer sessions.

Student applications and faculty recommendations (see below) are due at the same date and time.

Application Submission

Students must:

 1.  Submit the Google form :

• Complete the student information
• This work must have been completed for a TCNJ course, unless the applicant is a transfer student applying in their first semester at TCNJ.   In that case, the work must be from a course in the applicant’s previous institution.
• Explain how that work reflects two of the three Honors & Scholars pillars
• Explain the type of experiences they seek through the Honors & Scholars Program
• A scholarly essay of, at most, 2,000-2,500 words  (All scholarly work must include appropriate and consistently formatted citations; these citations are not considered part of the total word count.)
• A creative work of up to 2000 words or approximately 10 pages
• A 3-5 minute video
• A website, webpage, or software with instructions
• Sheet music with an accompanying audio/video performance
• 3-5 original photographs
• 3-5 documentation photos of a work of art or art installation
• Mathematical work or a problem set

2.  Request Letter of Recommendation from a college faculty member.

• The recommender must be a faculty member at TCNJ, unless the applicant is a transfer student applying during their first semester at TCNJ. In that case, the faculty member can be from the student’slastcollege or university attended before TCNJ.
• The faculty member completes their recommendation through a Google Form .  The applicant should send the link to the faculty member once that faculty member has agreed to complete the recommendation.

Application Review

Applications will be reviewed and evaluated by the Honors & Scholars Program Coordinator, in consultation with 3-4 members of the Honors & Scholars Program faculty. All applications will be scored using the rubric below.

Students denied admission into the Honors & Scholars Program may reapply; however, a student may apply for admission no more than twice.

Scoring Rubric for Student Application

Score definitions:  

1 = poor or incomplete  2 = fair (occasionally unclear and/or lacks detail) 3 = good (clear, but missing some detail that would strengthen response) 4 = excellent (clear, detailed, and compelling)

To be admitted, students must score ≥ 3 on all three criteria, with at least one 4.

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How to Write Your College Essay: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

Getting ready to start your college essay? Your essay is very important to your application — especially if you’re applying to selective colleges.

Become a stronger writer by reviewing your peers’ essays and get your essay reviewed as well for free.

We have regular livestreams during which we walk you through how to write your college essay and review essays live.

College Essay Basics

Just getting started on college essays? This section will guide you through how you should think about your college essays before you start.

• Why do essays matter in the college application process?
• What is a college application theme and how do you come up with one?
• How to format and structure your college essay

Before you move to the next section, make sure you understand:

How a college essay fits into your application

What a strong essay does for your chances

How to create an application theme

Learn the Types of College Essays

Next, let’s make sure you understand the different types of college essays. You’ll most likely be writing a Common App or Coalition App essay, and you can also be asked to write supplemental essays for each school. Each essay has a prompt asking a specific question. Each of these prompts falls into one of a few different types. Understanding the types will help you better answer the prompt and structure your essay.

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Identify how each prompt fits into an essay type

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The Common App essay

Almost every student will write a Common App essay, which is why it’s important you get this right.

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How to choose which Common App prompts to answer

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Supplemental Essay Guides

Many schools, especially competitive ones, will ask you to write one or more supplemental essays. This allows a school to learn more about you and how you might fit into their culture.

These essays are extremely important in standing out. We’ve written guides for all the top schools. Follow the link below to find your school and read last year’s essay guides to give you a sense of the essay prompts. We’ll update these in August when schools release their prompts.

See last year’s supplemental essay guides to get a sense of the prompts for your schools.

Essay brainstorming and composition

Now that you’re starting to write your essay, let’s dive into the writing process. Below you’ll find our top articles on the craft of writing an amazing college essay.

• Where to Begin? 3 Personal Essay Brainstorming Exercises
• Creating the First Draft of Your College Application Essay
• How to Get the Perfect Hook for Your College Essay
• What If I Don’t Have Anything Interesting To Write About In My College Essay?
• 8 Do’s and Don’t for Crafting Your College Essay
• Stuck on Your College Essay? 8 Tips for Overcoming Writer’s Block

Understand how to write a great hook for your essay

Complete the first drafts of your essay

Editing and polishing your essay

Have a first draft ready? See our top editing tips below. Also, you may want to submit your essay to our free Essay Peer Review to get quick feedback and join a community of other students working on their essays.

• 11 Tips for Proofreading and Editing Your College Essay
• Getting Help with Your College Essay
• 5 DIY Tips for Editing Your College Essay
• How Long Should Your College Essay Be?
• Essential Grammar Rules for Your College Apps
• College Essay Checklist: Are You Ready to Submit?

Proofread and edited your essay.

Had someone else look through your essay — we recommend submitting it for a peer review.

Make sure your essay meets all requirements — consider signing up for a free account to view our per-prompt checklists to help you understand when you’re really ready to submit.

Advanced College Essay Techniques

Let’s take it one step further and see how we can make your college essay really stand out! We recommend reading through these posts when you have a draft to work with.

• 10 Guidelines for Highly Readable College Essays
• How to Use Literary Devices to Enhance Your Essay
• How to Develop a Personalized Metaphor for Your College Applications

10 Reasons To Go To TCNJ

Lions and alumni alike will tell you that TCNJ is the best place to be. From the awesome events that CUB holds, to the classes, there’s something here for everyone. Here are 10 reasons to go to TCNJ.

1. The Programs

The business program has consistently been marked number one in the Bloomberg Buisnessweek, and ranked 59 of the top 100 in the country. The nursing program is highly recognized with CCNE approval, NLNAC accreditation, and NJ board of nursing (and several others). With these top-notch programs, you can’t help but want to revel and contribute to the success!

2. The Beautiful Campus

TCNJ is known for its beautiful classic brick building, its luscious green lawns, and overall campus feel. Can’t you see yourself sitting under the trees studying?

3. The Class Size

TCNJ prides itself on small class sizes throughout its majors and disciplines, with a 13 to 1 student/faculty ratio. The professors get to know you on a first name basis and can help you one on one.

4. The Surrounding Area

TCNJ is in central New Jersey, and is less than two hours from New York City and Delaware.

5. The School Size

With only 6,000 undergrads, you get to know your classmates and create strong bonds that’ll last a lifetime.

6. The Affordability

Being a state school, in-state tuition is around $15,000. That’s a steal, considering tuition these days requires you to sell your soul, your left arm, and your first born. TCNJ is worth every penny, and for the price, how can you not at least consider it?

7. The Food Options

With campus town openings, TCNJ has a Panera Bread, Pronto Pizza, RedBerry, and several other food places on campus! Not to mention your dining options of Eickhoff Hall, TW Dining, Armstrong’s Kineticart, Education Café, Library Café, and Traditions! Also, there’s a plethora of options for delivery that won’t break the buck, from Tan May’s to Mama Flora’s, all of your foodie dreams can come true.

10 Tips for Picking A Career Path In College

8. the up and coming improvements.

If you go on campus, you’ll see it’s not just the students working hard, but the construction workers too. The Student Center renovations, creation of the STEM building, and campus town extensions are all still happening, which means only more for students to look forward to in the fall.

9. The Reputation

TCNJ is known for its small classes, extremely diverse curriculum, and its advanced studies in all fields. TCNJ doesn’t just give you the tools; it gives you the connections too. From getting to know your professors well and establishing good in-school connections, to hearing, “oh! TCNJ! How wonderful!” remarks, it’s no wonder so many carry the name of TCNJ alum with pride.

10. The People

My life has only gotten better from my interactions with the students, staff and faculty at TCNJ.

I couldn’t just pick 10, because it’s not a fair representation of the spectacular place that is TCNJ. I couldn’t forget the several hundred clubs we have, the sports (like field hockey – we’re division one), the Jersey weather, the understanding and loving staff, the inclusiveness of the community, the brand new gym, the enormous amount of places to study, the Greek organizations, the on-campus job opportunities, and the friends you’re bound to meet. New Jersey residents and out-of-staters alike call this place home, and have made it home for me.

Have any other reasons to go to TCNJ? Comment below!

Featured image source: ztatcnj.tumblr.com.

Justine Wilson is a Biology student at TCNJ from Washington Township, NJ. Yogi, dancer, writer, proud dog owner and professional sass master.

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Home — Application Essay — National Universities — Why The College of New Jersey (TCNJ)?

Why The College of New Jersey (TCNJ)?

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Words: 572 |

Published: Feb 15, 2024

Words: 572 | Pages: 1 | 3 min read

Choosing the right college is a decision that can shape the trajectory of one's entire life. As a college student seeking to embark on this transformative journey, I have carefully evaluated several universities, but none have captured my attention and sparked my curiosity quite like The College of New Jersey (TCNJ). Its unique blend of rigorous academics, vibrant campus community, and commitment to experiential learning make TCNJ the ideal institution for me to pursue my educational and personal growth.

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One of the key factors that attracted me to TCNJ is its academic excellence. The college prides itself on its rigorous curriculum that fosters critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and interdisciplinary learning. I have always been passionate about exploring multiple fields of study and making connections between seemingly unrelated subjects. TCNJ's liberal arts education philosophy aligns perfectly with my educational goals as it encourages students to think holistically and approach problems from various perspectives.

TCNJ's faculty also play a pivotal role in creating an intellectually stimulating environment. They are not only experts in their respective fields but also dedicated mentors committed to cultivating the potential of each student. The smaller class sizes at TCNJ ensure a more personalized learning experience, allowing for meaningful interactions with professors and fostering a sense of community. The opportunity to engage in in-depth discussions, seek guidance, and collaborate with passionate faculty members is something that I value immensely and believe will greatly enhance my educational journey.

Furthermore, TCNJ's commitment to experiential learning greatly appeals to me. The college emphasizes the importance of applying classroom knowledge to real-world situations, allowing students to develop practical skills and gain hands-on experience. The availability of research opportunities, internships, and co-op programs at TCNJ opens doors for students to engage with the professional world outside the confines of the campus. This emphasis on experiential learning aligns perfectly with my desire to bridge the gap between theory and practice, making TCNJ an ideal institution for me to develop into a well-rounded and capable professional.

TCNJ's vibrant and inclusive campus community is yet another aspect that draws me to the institution. The college values diversity and actively fosters an inclusive environment where students from all backgrounds can thrive. The rich cultural tapestry at TCNJ not only enriches the academic experience but also encourages the exchange of ideas and perspectives that broaden horizons. Through clubs, organizations, and community service initiatives, TCNJ offers numerous opportunities for students to get involved and make a positive impact on campus and beyond. This sense of community and the emphasis on social responsibility align with my own values, and I am excited to contribute to and learn from the diverse community at TCNJ.

In addition to its academic and community offerings, TCNJ's location also appeals to me. Positioned within proximity to major cities such as Philadelphia and New York, TCNJ provides a wealth of opportunities for cultural exploration and career development. The connections and resources available through TCNJ's network make it an ideal launchpad for my future endeavors.

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In conclusion, The College of New Jersey encompasses everything I am seeking in a college education. Its commitment to academic excellence, emphasis on experiential learning, vibrant campus community, and advantageous location make it the perfect institution for me to pursue my passions and achieve my goals. I am confident that TCNJ will provide the ideal environment for me to grow intellectually, personally, and professionally, and I am excited for the transformative experiences that await me as a student at TCNJ.

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